Diction A guide to a few words that are commonly misused

Accept Except “Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered I will accept his offer “Except” means everything but Everyone was here except Fred As a verb “except” means to leave out All minors were excepted from jury duty “Accept” means to agree or to take something that is offered I will accept his offer “Except” means everything but Everyone was here except Fred As a verb “except” means to leave out All minors were excepted from jury duty

Affect Effect “Affect” is usually used as a verb How will the rising dollar affect our business? “Effect” is usually a noun Her lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about” We will effect numerous changes to the organization “Affect” is usually used as a verb How will the rising dollar affect our business? “Effect” is usually a noun Her lottery win had a huge effect on her credit rating Note: “Effect” also has another, less common meaning. Effect can be used as a verb to mean “bring about” We will effect numerous changes to the organization

Aggravate Irritate Annoy “Aggravate” means to make worse. Do not use it in place of “irritate” or “annoy” Falling down the stairs aggravated his knee injury “Aggravate” means to make worse. Do not use it in place of “irritate” or “annoy” Falling down the stairs aggravated his knee injury

All right Alright “Alright” is an informal spelling of “all right” Many guides consider it incorrect “Alright” is an informal spelling of “all right” Many guides consider it incorrect

Among Between “Between” is used only for two items Homer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them “Among” is used for lists of three or more Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff “Between” is used only for two items Homer and his wife kept the juicy gossip between them “Among” is used for lists of three or more Lenny shared the pictures among the entire staff

Amount Number “Number” is used for quantities that can be counted A number of people are missing “Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee “Number” is used for quantities that can be counted A number of people are missing “Amount” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc He put a large amount of sugar in his coffee

Anxious Eager Use “anxious” to express nervousness or fear I was anxious about my final grade after failing the mid-term exam Use “eager” for a more positive tone She was eager to begin her summer job Use “anxious” to express nervousness or fear I was anxious about my final grade after failing the mid-term exam Use “eager” for a more positive tone She was eager to begin her summer job

Can May “Can” relates to the ability to do something I can drive a car “May” indicates permission May I borrow yours “Can” relates to the ability to do something I can drive a car “May” indicates permission May I borrow yours

Complement Compliment “Complement” means to complete something That blue tie complements the grey shirt “Compliment” means to say something nice Mr. Burns complimented us on our efficient office “Complimentary” means to do something nice We received a complimentary appetizer with our meal “Complement” means to complete something That blue tie complements the grey shirt “Compliment” means to say something nice Mr. Burns complimented us on our efficient office “Complimentary” means to do something nice We received a complimentary appetizer with our meal

Could of Should of Would of These are all variations of the same mistake It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guide You should use “could have” or “could’ve” I could have been a contender These are all variations of the same mistake It comes from using pronunciation, rather than meaning, as a guide You should use “could have” or “could’ve” I could have been a contender

Council / Councillor Counsel / Counsellor A “council” is a group of bureaucrats. A “councillor” is a member of that group All members of the city council agreed to listen to the councillor’s presentation “Counsel” is advice or the act of giving advice. A “counsellor” is one who gives that advice Bart’s counsellor suggested that his best strategy would be to obtain counsel from others like him A “council” is a group of bureaucrats. A “councillor” is a member of that group All members of the city council agreed to listen to the councillor’s presentation “Counsel” is advice or the act of giving advice. A “counsellor” is one who gives that advice Bart’s counsellor suggested that his best strategy would be to obtain counsel from others like him

Eligible Illegible These words have completely different meanings “Eligible” means qualified to be chosen To be an eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen 18 years old or over “Illegible” means unreadable After the ballots got wet they were illegible These words have completely different meanings “Eligible” means qualified to be chosen To be an eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen 18 years old or over “Illegible” means unreadable After the ballots got wet they were illegible

Disinterested Uninterested “Disinterested” means neutral or objective “Uninterested” means bored The union and management brought in a disinterested arbitrator to settle the dispute “Disinterested” means neutral or objective “Uninterested” means bored The union and management brought in a disinterested arbitrator to settle the dispute

Emigrate Immigrate “Emigrate” means to leave a country “Immigrate” means to come to a country “Emigrate” means to leave a country “Immigrate” means to come to a country

Farther Further Use “farther” only to discuss distance Regina is farther from Winnipeg than Brandon “Further” is used for meanings other than physical distance Let me explain this further Use “farther” only to discuss distance Regina is farther from Winnipeg than Brandon “Further” is used for meanings other than physical distance Let me explain this further

Fewer Less “Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday “Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc I should probably drink less coffee Note: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodity The amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year “Fewer” is used for quantities that can be counted There are fewer people here today than there were yesterday “Less” is used for quantities that cannot be counted: liquids, sand, etc I should probably drink less coffee Note: For reasons understood only by a few mystical economists, money is considered an uncountable commodity The amount of money I earn today is less than the amount I earned last year

Flaunt Flout “Flaunt” means to show off If you’ve got it, flaunt it “Flout” means to disregard a law with contempt The mayor flouted the law every time he ran the red light in front of the police station “Flaunt” means to show off If you’ve got it, flaunt it “Flout” means to disregard a law with contempt The mayor flouted the law every time he ran the red light in front of the police station

Flammable Inflammable These words have the same meaning, creating a dangerous ambiguity “Inflammable” is not used for any purposes anymore “Flammable” means capable of burning Use “nonflammable” to indicate that something cannot be burned These words have the same meaning, creating a dangerous ambiguity “Inflammable” is not used for any purposes anymore “Flammable” means capable of burning Use “nonflammable” to indicate that something cannot be burned

Forward Foreword A “foreword” is a preface to a book “Forward” is the opposite direction to backward A “foreword” is a preface to a book “Forward” is the opposite direction to backward

Hanged Hung “Hanged” should only be used when referring to executions The prisoner was hanged at dawn “Hung” is the past participle of “hang” in all other situations He hung his coat on a nail “Hanged” should only be used when referring to executions The prisoner was hanged at dawn “Hung” is the past participle of “hang” in all other situations He hung his coat on a nail

Imply Infer “Imply” means to make a hint Pat implied that I might get lucky tonight “Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket “Imply” means to make a hint Pat implied that I might get lucky tonight “Infer” means to interpret someone else’s words I inferred from those words that Pat had just bought me a lottery ticket

Irregardless “Irregardless” ain’t a word Use “regardless” (Don’t use “ain’t” either) We will hold classes regardless of the weather “Irregardless” ain’t a word Use “regardless” (Don’t use “ain’t” either) We will hold classes regardless of the weather

Like As if “Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence He is drinking like a fish “As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses He is acting as if he is going to be sick “Like” is a preposition. Use it to join words or phrases to the rest of a sentence He is drinking like a fish “As if” is a conjunction. Use it to join clauses He is acting as if he is going to be sick

Lightning Lightening “Lightning” comes in electrical storms “Lightening” means either to reduce something’s weight or to make its colour paler “Lightning” comes in electrical storms “Lightening” means either to reduce something’s weight or to make its colour paler

Literally “Literally” means actually. Don’t use it to emphasize something The bookcase literally collapsed when I tried to use it as a ladder “Literally” means actually. Don’t use it to emphasize something The bookcase literally collapsed when I tried to use it as a ladder

Moral Morale Use “moral” when discussing right and wrong Use “morale” when discussing team spirit Use “moral” when discussing right and wrong Use “morale” when discussing team spirit

Personal Personnel Use “personal” when discussing something relating to a particular person—someone’s personal property Use “personnel” to discuss the staff of an organization Use “personal” when discussing something relating to a particular person—someone’s personal property Use “personnel” to discuss the staff of an organization

Principle Principal “Principle” means a general rule “Principal” means central or most important. It can refer to the most important person in a school, or the part of a loan that has interest added to it “Principle” means a general rule “Principal” means central or most important. It can refer to the most important person in a school, or the part of a loan that has interest added to it

Stationary Stationery “Stationary” means motionless “Stationery” means office supplies “Stationary” means motionless “Stationery” means office supplies

Unusual Unique “Unique” means one of a kind Something can’t be “quite unique” any more than it can be “very dead” or “a bit pregnant” Do not use “unique” when you mean “unusual” X Janet Jackson wore a very unique outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a unique outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a very unusual outfit to the Superbowl “Unique” means one of a kind Something can’t be “quite unique” any more than it can be “very dead” or “a bit pregnant” Do not use “unique” when you mean “unusual” X Janet Jackson wore a very unique outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a unique outfit to the Superbowl Janet Jackson wore a very unusual outfit to the Superbowl